FamilySearch CGO David Rencher New Family History Library Director

FamilySearch Internationalannounced todaythatDavid Rencher, AG®, CG®, FIGRS, is the new director of the popularFamily History Libraryin downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. He succeeds Diane Loosle, who is fulfilling other leadership needs. Rencher will continue to serve as FamilySearch’s Chief Genealogy Officer. The library is open to the public free of charge.

This is not Rencher’s first time at the helm of the FamilyHistory Library, which opened at its current location in1985and serves hundreds of thousands of guests yearly. He was the director from 1999 to 2002. Interestingly, Rencher’s career in family history started 40 years ago as an Irish reference consultantat the library.His return to the library at this time allows the previous library director, Diane Loosle, to fill a growing need in FamilySearchbusinessdevelopment, where the two will work together

Rencher is excited to be more closely involvedagainwith the Family History Library. The biggest change he seestodayis the shift to address a growing,younger customer demographic. “Transitioning the new generation of interested family seekers into users of the broader set of FamilySearch products and services will be a key focus of the library,” Rencher said.(SeeFamily History Library Unveils Salt Lake City’s Newest Attraction.)

Rencher believes his combined responsibilitiesas the CGO and library director will enable him to successfully work with FamilySearch development teams to expand the personal successes of patrons fromdiffering culturalbackgrounds worldwide. He says his expandedresponsibilities will alsoinclude regional FamilySearchcenters and guest experiences in over 5,000 family history centers globally.

Speaking of future plans, Rencher iterated that the library will be the flagship of FamilySearch’s family history in-person experience forguests of all ages and skill levels. “Discovery experiences proven in the library will extend quickly to FamilySearch’s family history center network, website, and mobile apps,” he added.